The Maharashtra government has decided to accord ‘essential project’ status to the ongoing redevelopment of the Bombay Development Directorate (BDD) chawls — one of Mumbai’s largest public housing renewal schemes. The move, directed during a high-level review meeting chaired by the Deputy Chief Minister, aims to expedite work and resolve long-standing administrative delays affecting thousands of families awaiting rehabilitation.
The BDD chawl redevelopment is a multi-phase initiative spread across Naigaon, Worli and N.M. Joshi Marg, with revised completion timelines extending from 2029 to 2031. Declaring it an essential project will enable faster clearances, uninterrupted workforce mobilisation, and prioritised access to utilities and permissions, officials said. The decision is being viewed as a crucial step towards easing housing shortages in central Mumbai and ensuring equitable urban transformation. At the meeting, the Deputy Chief Minister also reviewed progress on multiple infrastructure corridors, including the Mumbai Metro network, expressways, and tunnel projects across Mumbai, Thane, and Pune. Specific directives were issued to ensure timely delivery of critical metro lines — Line 2B (D.N. Nagar to Diamond Garden) by March 2027 and the Swami Samarth Nagar–Vikhroli line by December 2026. The Urban Development Department has been tasked with resolving land-related issues at Shyam Nagar station within 15 days to avoid further delays.
In Pune, the 23-kilometre Mann–Hinjewadi–Shivajinagar Metro line, executed by the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority, has been targeted for completion by March 2026. Similarly, large-scale connectivity projects such as the Thane–Borivali twin tunnel, the Uttan–Virar Sea Link, and the Orange Gate–Marine Drive tunnel are being closely monitored to ensure adherence to deadlines and safety standards. Officials confirmed that nearly 19 kilometres of the 23.8-kilometre Vadpe–Thane road, developed by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation, has already been completed, with full commissioning expected by March 2026. The Airoli–Katai Naka Freeway, once operational, is expected to reduce travel time across Mumbai’s eastern corridor to just 20 minutes.
The BDD chawl redevelopment, considered one of Mumbai’s most complex public housing projects, will replace dilapidated century-old tenements with modern residential towers, open spaces, and civic amenities while retaining community cohesion. Urban development experts note that its “essential” status reflects a shift towards treating affordable housing as a social infrastructure priority — crucial for achieving inclusive and sustainable urban growth. By combining large-scale housing renewal with improved transport infrastructure, Maharashtra aims to create a more liveable and accessible urban fabric. Officials emphasised that accelerated delivery of such projects will not only decongest Mumbai but also strengthen its resilience and equity in the long term
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